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12.11.2006

Go Evan, It's Your Birthday

Another reason Indiana Senator Evan Bayh rocks:

Bayh Urges Full Funding to Promote Job Skills, Literacy at America's LibrariesSenator says grant program ensures all Americans have access to books and technology

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Evan Bayh and 28 of his colleagues today sent a letter urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund the Grants to State Library Agencies (GSLA) program, which provides libraries big and small with the resources they need to sustain basic services as well as implement innovative literacy, educational and career-related services. Citing the importance of libraries in narrowing America's "digital divide," the Senators called on the Committee to provide at least $171.5 million for the GSLA program, the amount recommended by the President and provided by the House version of the Appropriations bill.

"Our nation's libraries are so much more than places to borrow books; they are hubs for our communities and portals to our world," the Senators wrote in the letter. "Only a strong, continued investment by Congress will enable libraries to undertake exciting projects that help library users of all ages and backgrounds improve their skills, expand their knowledge base to master challenges, increase student academic achievement and encourage lifelong learning."

The article concludes...

A strong believer in the educational importance of libraries, Senator Bayh has consistently supported increased funding for libraries, especially for technology and literacy programs. For the past two years, Bayh has joined his colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support efforts to increase funding for the Library Services and Technology Act to help libraries close the "digital divide" and allow libraries to improve their services. He has also urged that Congress boost funding for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program to help students increase their literacy skills and develop a love for reading.